FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited leading agricultural research institutions in Slovakia, including Biocentrum Modra at the National Agricultural and Food Centre and the Slovak University of Agriculture (SUA) in Nitra. The NPPC, established in 2014, focuses on strategic and applied research in agriculture and food, while SUA, founded in 1952, is a premier institution for educating experts in the agrifood sector. During the visit, a Letter of Intent was signed to leverage innovative technologies to produce healthy and safe food, improve diets, raise nutrition levels, and promote sustainable development to eradicate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The Director-General highlighted the importance of science and innovation in transforming global agrifood systems.
The Director-General also toured the AgroBioTech Research Centre at SUA, established in 2015 to advance applied research in agrobiology, biotechnology, and agricultural technology. The center focuses on transferring research results into practical applications, with a direct impact on social practices. This aligns with the objectives outlined in the newly signed Letter of Intent. The Director-General emphasized the impressive linkages between theoretical and applied science at the research institutions, emphasizing their significant contributions to improving food production processes and safety standards. The visit showcased the commitment of Slovakia to innovative research and collaboration to address global challenges in agriculture and food systems.
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